OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 7, 2013) - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, issued the following statement today commending the efforts of law enforcement officers from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), with the support from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, Surrey RCMP, and RCMP Air Services, in seizing 10,000 marijuana plants at four rural Mission, British Columbia properties.

In addition to the seizure of plants, there were approximately 200-pounds of dried marijuana seized, along with $20,000 cash. The marijuana has a total estimated value of between $5 and $10 million, with the equipment used to produce the marijuana estimated to be valued at $1 million.

"I commend the outstanding collaboration among police forces that has led to yet another successful operation. By working together, law enforcement agencies are getting dangerous drugs off our streets and making our communities safer. This operation would not have been possible without the dedication and diligence of police officers who work tirelessly to protect our neighbourhoods from organized crime.

Our government has no tolerance for the production and trafficking of illicit drugs and removing them from our streets is essential to tackling the issue of violent crime.

Through the National Anti-Drug Strategy, the Government of Canada is allocating approximately $100 million over five years to combat the production and distribution of illegal drugs. This is another example of our government's ongoing commitment to tackling crime and to keeping our streets and communities safe."